Editorial – January 30, 2015 :
The publication about the Montserrat Development Corporation sparked a readership unknown for a long time on the website and on Facebook, that to us was a complete surprise. The hits on the main site, globally the interest tripled, while Facebook readers were 30 times more interested in what was happening with or at MDC than with the challenges of regional integration.
Meanwhile reaction continued from the former Chairman and Premier. Their reactions with postings and writings caused the MNIAlive editor Jeevan Robinson to ask, “If All Was Well Within The Montserrat Development Corp, Why Then The DFID Lock Down and GoM Task Force Review?”
We more than agree and must add that are by no means surprised that the MDC’s projects were shut down by DFID for a reason. Indeed, “no amount of fancy language and attempts at retro public relations can negate that DFID found that there are issues within the MDC.
We repeat, reports on budgets and money spent do not necessary reflect fraud, nepotism, bribery and kickbacks. Those are in the details. There are enough allusions to wrong doing investigations. It is a problem and it is a concern DFID holds for some time, that when they provide millions in budgetary and capital aid that the revenue return does not reflect the monies that pass through the island. Which bylaw is broken when the hiring of an officer is not done through open and competitive selection?
The GoM has announced that it will review the MDC and plans to put a task force in place to do so. They have changed the board, advised Chief Executive Officer Ivan Browne to step aside while the review takes place. He objects claiming no wrong doing. Lying is wrong doing, refusal, failure to contribute to public relations and media publicity, is wrong doing.
The background and the task as spelt out in the release announcing the Task Force to review the operations and functions of the MDC. It suggests that the structure of MDC was not practical or fit for purpose referring also to: “The MDC bylaws follow the format of a private company and as such they do not outline the mandate of the MDC, which an enabling Act would have done.”
We humbly suggest that nothing whatsoever is wrong with the set up and purpose for the MDC which was created in 2007 and funded with a new ‘mandate’ in 2012. It should be remembered that this was being prepared for seven years before. The mandate was spelt out in a Business Case, carefully put together. DFID was not unaware and tried to protect against the risks that have put Montserrat back five years.
The persons or GoM with assistance from whomsoever or wherever must carefully peruse the documents that support the Business Case. Among them and topping the list: Strategic Growth Plan, MoU and related reform matrix; also MDC Business and Financial Plan 2012 -2015. We have advocated that time and time again highlighting some the expected outcomes and the straightforward desires of economic growth for Montserrat.
Some of the stated deliveries included in the box on this page in addition to the following.
- a viable, sustainable, integrated and economically justified master plan that creates the basis for a new tourism driven town and port in Little Bay;
The MOU and later documents repeatedly refer to the strategy (SGP) that created the deliverables as ambitious. Added to this was the fantasy that blew away the plan eventually created by 2009 and later. Fantasy and ambition and the propensity not to follow ‘rules and laws’ often for personal benefit, cronyism, and the like, they will find are serious downfalls.
Alas, we see this Government going down the same road. Cronyism is the beginning danger that would encourage the risks rather than avoid them. The task force outline and expectations are excessively demanding and unnecessary, But, they must read and understand. They should spend more time avoiding the badness that got us here.
The UK recognized and articulated some errors in 2008 and again in 2011, making promises to make them good. Unfortunately, ‘salivation’ over wealth set in and the goals became gaol baits, blinding reasonableness, decency, inclusion and wealth for all.
